Method and means for removing flash



ATTORNEYS INVENT April 21, 1942;

P. c. TRACY METHOD 'AND MEANS FOR REMOVING FLASH Filed April 24, 1941 Patented Apr. 21, 1942 Parker C. Tracy, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owenslllinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,130 6 Claims. (01. 164-125) ..My invention relates to a method of removing the thin webs, this or flashes which are someplastics by molding processes which may leave thin webs or fins which must be removed after the molding process to give the article finished form;

An objectof my invention is to provide a novel method by which broaching operations may be carried on rapidly and effectively.

A further object of the inventionisto provide a method by which the webs or fins may be removed from perforations or edges of the article by means of pressure applied through a body of an elastic material which automatically accommodates itself to the contour of the openings or surfaces from which the material is to be removed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and eflicient mechanism for use in practicing the above methods.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a finishing machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a part-sectional view showing the elastic ram, its holder and an article to be finished.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the elastic ram and its holder lowered to operative position..

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified construction.

As herein illustrated, the finishing machine comprises a piston motor l including a vertically reciprocating piston II and piston rod I2. The piston rod extends upwardly through an opening in the work-table or platform l3 and through a central bore in a bearing post l4 and is movable up and down therein. The post I4 is carried on a base l5 supported on the table l3. A horizontal arm l6 is attached to the upper end of the piston rod as by means of a clamping nut H. A coil spring l8 surrounds the piston rod and is held under compression between the arm l6 and the post l4. The central opening or bore through the post may be enlarged as indicated at I! to permit the coil spring to extend downwardly within the post.

The post is formed with a lateral extension or arm 2| which provides a bearing for a vertical bearing sleeve 2| movable up and down therein.

. The bearing sleeve 2| is formed integral with the arm It. A plunger 22 extends through the sleeve 2| and is slidable up and down therein. A collar 23 attached to the plunger limits its downward movement. A cylindrical head or holder 24 is formed at the lower end of the plunger. The lower portion of the holder is hollow or formed with a cavity 25 to receive a ram or block 26 of finishing material. This may consist of rubber, rubber composition or similar compressible resilient material, deformable under pressure, and which will automatically resume its normal shape when the pressure is relieved.

A guide plate 21 is adjustably mounted on the platform l3 and held in adjusted position by clamping nuts 28. Said plate is provided witha terials including various synthetic resins, such as Bakelite" which is a phenol formaldehyde condensation product, and various other thermoplastic materials. In molding such caps thin webs or flashes 32 are frequently formed or left as an obstruction to the openings 3| and must be removed.

The operation is as follows: the cap 30 is placed on the platform I3 beneath and in register with the plunger. Air under pressure or other operating fluid is then admitted through a pipe 33 to the upper end of the motor cylinder so that the piston rod I2 is drawn downward, compressing the spring l8 and permitting the plunger 22 to be lowered by means of a coil spring 34 held under compression between the bearing sleeve 2| and the holder 24. The elastic block 26 of flashing material is thus lowered and seats on the interior bottom surface of the inverted cap 30. When the block is thus arrested, a downward pressure is built up by the spring 34 and compresses the material 26. This pressure is distributed over the bottom surface of the cap and ruptures the thin walls or webs or breaks them away, thereby completing the openings 3| and breaking or rubbing off any rough edges so that the walls of the openings ll are left smooth and the openings unobstructed. It will be observed that the flashing material It is coniined within the walls of the holder 24 except for a narrow section II which extends below the walls of saidholder. Being thus confined, the pressure is effectively applied at the openings 3|. The material a protruding below the walls of the holder permits the continued downward movement of the holder after the material seats within the cap, as required to apply the necessary compressive force to the material. The material flows or protrudes downwardly a short distance within the openings 3|, and after the pressure is removed the block resumes its normal shape.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modification adapted for flashing an article it which is of a shape to permit it to protrude into the cavity of the holder 24. In this form the block of flashing material 28 need not extend below the walls of the holder.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. The .method of removing a web or flash from an article which comprises applying pressure to the article and to the part to be removed therefrom through the intermediary of a solid, expansible and compressible material, and causing the said web or flash to be removed by the deformation of said material.

2. The method of removing a web or fin from an article which comprises applying to the article and to the part to be removed therefrom a uniformly distributed pressure transmitted thereto through the medium of a solid material having a predetermined normal shape and which is resilient and compressible and automatically resumes its shape when relieved from pressure.

3. The method oi. removing flash from a molded article which comprises subjecting the article and said flash to a pressure applied through a rubber-like material.

4. Means for removing the flash from a molded article, comprising in combination, a support for the article, a holder. a body of solid, elastic material carried by said holder, and means ior actuating said holder and thereby applying pressure through said material to the article to be flashed.

5. A machine for removing flash from molded articles, comprising a plunger, a holder carried by the plunger and formed with a cavity extending inwardly from the outer end 01' the holder, a solid block of elastic material mounted in and filling said cavity and protruding beyond the holder, a support for an article, means for positioning the article on the support inalignment with the plunger, and means for moving the plunger toward said support and causing said block to contact the article and thereafter continuing the movement of the plunger and thereby applying sufllcient pressure through said block to the said article to compress and spread laterally said protruding portion of said block and cause it to remove the flash from said article.

6. The method of removing the flash from a multiplicity of openings formed in the surface of a molded article which comprises applying a uniformly distributed pressure to said surface through a solid elastic material bearing on said surface and thereby causing the material to deform and remove flash from said openings.

PARKER C. TRACY. 

